Tenant FAQ’S
Find answers to frequently asked questions from renters below :
Facts for Tenants
For answers to most of your questions regarding your occupancy, we encourage you to refer back to your lease agreement first. For example, if you have questions concerning matters such as your rent amount or when it's due or considered late, what utilities that your are responsible for, or if you are responsible for the upkeep of the exterior, these questions are all answered and outlined in detail within your lease.
If you have thoroughly reviewed your lease, reviewed our FAQS for Tenants and are still unable to find answers to questions you have, call during normal business hours or email us after hours and we will assist you further.
1.) (Q) - Whats the minimum credit score that BPS requires for renting an available unit?
(A) - We require a minimum of 580 credit score to rent an available unit.
2.) (Q) What's the minimum duration of your Baltimore Property Solutions, LLC Lease?
(A) BPS requires a 1 year minimum lease duration for all unit occupancies.
3.) (Q) How much security deposit is required to secure a move-in?
(A) BPS requires a security deposit equivalent to the 1st months’ rent unless specified otherwise.
4.) (Q) When is my rent due and when are late fee's applied to my account?
(A) Rent is due on the first of every month and considered late at 12:00 am on the 6th of each month. Late charges are 5% of the monthly rent on the 6th of every month. According to your residential lease agreement, all payments made to management will be credited to (late fees, maintenance fees and/or administrative fees prior to being applied to rent.)
5.) (Q) What’s the policy regarding pet's?
(A) BPS is a pet friendly Property Management environment however all decisions made regarding pet allowances are stringently based upon the property owners decision and we follow that strictly.
6.) (Q) How are Maintenance request handled?
(A) Your request should be submitted to the office verbally or in writing and please provide as much detail's as possible regarding the nature of your maintenance matters. In the event of an emergency please contact the emergency line or procedure provided at the signing of your lease.
7.) (Q) Who is responsible for pest control?
(A) Unless you reside in a (MFD) Muti-Family Dwelling where the service is scheduled monthly, according to your lease after the first 30 days of occupancy you are responsible for pest control. Exceptions are made if rodent intrusions are due to structural compromise or defect.
8.) (Q) What if I get locked out of my home?
(A) In the event that you are locked out from your home, BPS charges a $50 trip charge for bringing a copy of your key to your residence. This $50 fee is due in cash at the time of relief.
9.) (Q) Do I need renters insurance?
(A) Although we do not strictly enforce, we strongly suggest that all renters obtain renters insurance. This was advised to you during lease signing.
10.) (Q) Who is responsible for the upkeep of the lawn (Grass Cutting), salt for winter, shoveling of snow, (etc)?
(A) Unless you reside in a (MFD) Mutli-Family residence, tenants whom reside in single family homes are responsible for full upkeep of general exterior upkeep including the questioned above.
11.) (Q) If I decide to move, what are the move-out procedures and when should I anticipate the return of my security deposit?
(A) All tenants are to provide 90 Days’ notice, dated and in writing 90 days prior to lease expiration per lease agreement, in order to be in full compliance with tenant lease termination guidelines. Additionally, your place of residence should be left fully clean and in working order as when initially leased, minus normal wear and tear. Maryland Law states that all landlords are to return Security Deposits in 45 Days of lease termination and BPS follows that law.
12.) (Q) What if I decide to change the locks?
(A) A tenant cannot change the locks without first contacting management. Requests by tenant for re-keying, installing, changing, replacing or repairing security devices must be in writing. Requests for addition security devices, additional re-keying or replacement of security devices desired by the tenant will be paid by the tenant in advance and must be installed only by an authorized contractor.
13.) (Q) What if I need to move due to a new job?
(A) You are responsible for the entire length of your lease term, with the exception that you find another tenant that meets BPS screening criteria to finish the lease duration.
Still have questions or concerns? We will be more than glad to assist you with any additional questions or concerns that you may have. Contact our office during normal business hours and one of our managers will assist you.
Office: (443) 839 -8414
Email: info@baltimorepropertysolutions.com
*We strongly suggest all residents obtain Renter's Insurance!
Renter’s Insurance Disclaimer
Many tenants mistakenly believe that their belongings will be covered under an insurance policy held by their landlord. The insurance policies held by landlords typically cover only damage to the structure of the building, or when someone suffers an injury or damage due to a condition on the property for which the landlord bears responsibility.
For example, the landlord may have a duty to remove snow and ice from an apartment building’s steps and surrounding sidewalk area. If a tenant slips and falls on the ice and injures himself due to the landlord’s failure to properly treat the sidewalk, the tenant may recover under the landlord’s insurance policy. If, however, a landlord rents an entire single family home to a tenant, the lease agreement may contain specific language designating the tenant’s responsibility for upkeep of the steps and sidewalk. If the duty of care is designated to the tenant, the landlord’s insurance policy may not cover an injury for a tenant or guest who slips and falls on the property. Unfortunately, many tenants do not realize this until it is too late.
What could possibly go wrong?
There are a host of things which could happen while a tenant leases a dwelling causing great personal expense to an uninsured tenant. For example, the upstairs tenant could cause a water overflow, which seriously damages furniture and clothing. While the negligent tenant may be sued, it is easier for an insurance company to handle the situation. Perhaps a rainstorm causes the county storm sewer system to back up, flooding basement apartments. Not only is there damage to the tenants' property, but they have to go to a motel while their apartments are being repaired. What if a plastic container fell on a lighted stove, causing $800 in damages for smoke related issues? Apartments can be burglarized. Guests can get injured. Occurrences such as these can be expensive for an uninsured tenant. Your landlord has insurance for structural damage to the building, and might even be protected against damage caused by tenants. Landlord’s insurance covers damage to the landlord’s property and protects him against claims of negligence. The landlord may also have a substantial deductible on the policy. In circumstances where a tenant’s negligence causes damage to the landlord’s property, the tenant may be required to cover the deductible. The landlord's insurer may successfully sue the tenant for the full extent of the damage if the tenant is found to be negligent.
Most commercial insurance companies offer renters' insurance policies that cover personal belongings such as furniture, clothing, and home goods in the event of loss by fire, vandalism, theft, water damage, etc. These policies may also cover the costs of living elsewhere while repairs are being made. Renter’s insurance policies can cover everything from electronics to clothing to household appliances. Even a minimal number of items could add up to thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, which can all be covered in a basic policy. These policies also provide personal liability coverage for medical payments to others, costs of defending suits, etc.
Will the policy cover everything?
Renter’s insurance policies may have limits to the amount of coverage provided for loss or damage to electronics, jewelry, art, antiques, or collectibles. If you own expensive televisions, computers, or other home electronics, you may need to get broader coverage for your items in a supplemental policy. At a minimum, a tenant should carefully list and describe all personal property, and the estimated cost of those items (either the purchase price, or the replacement price based on the current market value). Receipts should be kept as proof of those costs. Photographs or videotapes of property would also be valuable documentation. Such documentation should be stored outside the rental property in a safe place, or in a fire-proof safe within the dwelling.
A tenant needs to be aware that standard renters' policies cover structural damage to the tenant’s residence caused by fire, smoke, and explosion, but do not cover damage done to the residence that is normally covered by a security deposit, such as stains on wall-to-wall carpeting, damage to appliances, and unusual wear and tear to the unit caused by the tenant. Liability for damage to other residences, such as water damage, and to other tenants' property will be covered by most policies.
Renters’ insurance policies may also cover your belongings even when they are located outside of your home or apartment. For example, items you have insured often are covered if they are stolen by someone who breaks into your car or if they are damaged while not on your property.
Additional information on renter’s insurance may be found on the Maryland Insurance Administration’s website: http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/pages/HomeownersAndRentersInsurance.aspx (link is external).
How much will this cost me?
When shopping for renter’s insurance, a tenant should get price quotes from several different companies, and compare different policies and coverage limits to determine what would work best. The Maryland Insurance Administration estimates that the average renters’ insurance policy costs between $15-$30 per month. Before you begin comparing policies and price quotes, you should make an inventory of your belongings and figure out the estimated value of your items. You also need to consider how much liability coverage you want to cover injuries or damage to other people or their property in the event that they are injured in your dwelling.
It is also important to consider how much the deductible will be on your renters’ insurance policy. A deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket in the event of damage to your personal property before the insurance company makes any payments. For example, if the renter’s insurance policy contains a deductible of $200 and your laptop, valued at $1200, is stolen from your apartment, the insurance company will pay you $1,000 for this claim of loss. Ordinarily policies with a high deductible cost less per month than those with a lower deductible.
To help keep your premium down, ask what discounts the company offers. A tenant may be eligible for special credits on the policy if the dwelling unit has smoke alarms, burglary alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, deadbolt locks on exterior doors, and/or if the tenant has more than one policy with same company. Some companies offer discounts to senior citizens, members of groups or associations, and to non-smokers.
What information do I need to purchase renters’ insurance?
When you call an insurer, you will probably be asked about the type of construction and design of your residence, the distance to the nearest fire department and fire hydrant, and the use of security devices. Make sure the information you provide is accurate. Also, make certain you provide the same information to each company. You want to be sure that you are comparing policies that offer the same types of coverage, same deductibles, and same coverage limits. Select an insurer you feel you can trust and are comfortable dealing with. The Maryland Insurance Administration offers a handy worksheet for comparing insurance policies: http://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/hoshoppingworksheet.pdf (link is external). Note that this worksheet is titled Homeowner's Insurance. When shopping for your insurance policy, be sure to specify that you are looking for Renter's Insurance.
How do I know the insurance company is legitimate?
It is illegal for unauthorized companies and agents to sell insurance in Maryland. Once you have selected an insurance company, contact the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) to verify that the agent and/or company is authorized to sell insurance in Maryland. You can get this information on the MIA website at www.mdinsurance.state.md.us (link is external) or by calling the MIA at 800-492-6116.
The Joint Insurance Association
The Joint Insurance Association (JIA) established to carry out the provisions of a state law, the Maryland Property Insurance Availability Act. The Association provides essential property insurance coverage for Maryland property owners and tenants who cannot get insurance coverage for their property. The program is administered by a governing committee. The JIA is regulated by the Maryland Insurance Administration. The Joint Insurance Association operates statewide. The Joint Insurance Association is not a State agency.
Read the law: MD Code Insurance §25-401 and following (link is external)
Procedure to obtain coverage under the Joint Insurance Association
To apply for coverage through the Maryland Joint Insurance Association, you may visit the Association’s website at http://www.mdjia.org (link is external) and download a form. Or, you may request a form via email at applications@mdjia.org (link sends e-mail), or by phone at (410) 539-6808. Once completed, the signed application form and any other related documents should be mailed to: Joint Insurance Association, 3290 N. Ridge Road, Suite 210, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Please be sure to keep a copy of the completed application forms for your own records. The property may be inspected to determine whether it is insurable. You may request a copy of the inspection report. Losses resulting from flood or surface water are not covered by any policies offered by the JIA.